Ask the Author: Jaime Buckley
Answered Questions (17)
Jaime Buckley
I have spent decades trying to find out information about my own grandfather. Every time a record is located by myself or a sibling, the record has been 'blacked' out. It's almost creepy.
What if there is some mystery as to why we can't seem to locate a grandfather we've never met? Why won't my own parents talk about him beyond general terms?
What if there is some mystery as to why we can't seem to locate a grandfather we've never met? Why won't my own parents talk about him beyond general terms?
Jaime Buckley
Detective Collins finally got back to me about my wife's murder. The call was coming from inside the house.
Jaime Buckley
Ahhhhhh, a lovely question--with only one answer for me:
I would travel to Elämä and stay in Chucks Cottage.
Since it's both connected to multiple places within that fictional world (via doorways) AND it has never been fully mapped, I would spend my time exploring the rooms and corridors of this enchanted building...
I would travel to Elämä and stay in Chucks Cottage.
Since it's both connected to multiple places within that fictional world (via doorways) AND it has never been fully mapped, I would spend my time exploring the rooms and corridors of this enchanted building...
Jaime Buckley
With all the writing I'm doing, I've started feeling like a teen again. As old as I am, that's a GOOD thing! Hehe. So I'm going back to my roots of fantasy love and taking up:
• The Incarnations of Immortality by Piers Anthony;
• The Dresden Files by my #1 FAVorite author, Jim Butcher, and;
• Chronicles of a Hero by yours truly--because I'm reading them to my younger kids as a bedtime treat!
• The Incarnations of Immortality by Piers Anthony;
• The Dresden Files by my #1 FAVorite author, Jim Butcher, and;
• Chronicles of a Hero by yours truly--because I'm reading them to my younger kids as a bedtime treat!
Jaime Buckley
Though it's not always possible due to travel, parenting obligations, and illustration work, I strive to write each and every day. It's the only way to get better at your craft and to keep the knives sharp so to speak.
How MUCH I write depends on the project. Articles for blogs are usually 1200 words or more in a sitting. I write between 1500-5000 words when I'm commenting on people's sites--because I love leaving serious comments (unlike "Great article, keep up the good work!")
*puke*
When I'm writing a book or even my adulting/parenting reports, that's a whole new level of focus. I'll sit down, prep my brain by doing a little reading of what was written the session before, maybe a bit of editing to work my way up to where I left off...
Then I write an average of 10,000 words of more. On a good day, I'll write 12K-15K words....and on writing retreats, I'll write even more. Really depends on the project--but I write the most when it's the Chronicles of a Hero series.
It flows without compulsory means.
How MUCH I write depends on the project. Articles for blogs are usually 1200 words or more in a sitting. I write between 1500-5000 words when I'm commenting on people's sites--because I love leaving serious comments (unlike "Great article, keep up the good work!")
*puke*
When I'm writing a book or even my adulting/parenting reports, that's a whole new level of focus. I'll sit down, prep my brain by doing a little reading of what was written the session before, maybe a bit of editing to work my way up to where I left off...
Then I write an average of 10,000 words of more. On a good day, I'll write 12K-15K words....and on writing retreats, I'll write even more. Really depends on the project--but I write the most when it's the Chronicles of a Hero series.
It flows without compulsory means.
Jaime Buckley
Hello Liz,
Sorry for the slow reply--but I would give your grandson "Prelude to a Hero" (Chronicles of a Hero, book #1). The whole experience with Wendell takes readers on a journey of self-discovery to show ones potential through a fantasy adventure.
Also, you might suggest that he join us on https://wantedhero.com later in September 2016 when the site relaunches. He can interact and ask questions himself, as well as discover some colorful characters he might relate to.
Hope that helps.
- Jaime
Sorry for the slow reply--but I would give your grandson "Prelude to a Hero" (Chronicles of a Hero, book #1). The whole experience with Wendell takes readers on a journey of self-discovery to show ones potential through a fantasy adventure.
Also, you might suggest that he join us on https://wantedhero.com later in September 2016 when the site relaunches. He can interact and ask questions himself, as well as discover some colorful characters he might relate to.
Hope that helps.
- Jaime
Jaime Buckley
Not really. It's all about life and the experiences of life. Wanted Hero was created because of the personal struggles I had as a youth. I wanted to show other kids that they mattered and also to encourage them to reach for their dreams.
Life might be stranger than fiction, but fiction allows many writers to more accurately portray life to their readers.
Life might be stranger than fiction, but fiction allows many writers to more accurately portray life to their readers.
Jaime Buckley
I have actually! Several different thoughts on that--but the main one I'm currently running with is a desire to make a game that most, if not all kids can play. An RPG that costs under $5.
Crazy, I know, but so far it works. All it takes is a printer (so you can download my PDF), scissors, scotch tape, a handful of pennies (for weights) and 6 sided dice (which you can grab from other games).
The game comes with the background, playing module, character sheets, maps and playing pieces...everything you need for a fantastic game.
...and it's based on Trench Wars--so you're playing gnomes =)
All exclusively from my website, wantedhero.com
Crazy, I know, but so far it works. All it takes is a printer (so you can download my PDF), scissors, scotch tape, a handful of pennies (for weights) and 6 sided dice (which you can grab from other games).
The game comes with the background, playing module, character sheets, maps and playing pieces...everything you need for a fantastic game.
...and it's based on Trench Wars--so you're playing gnomes =)
All exclusively from my website, wantedhero.com
Jaime Buckley
I have many ways, such as certain music, incense, food, watching a great movie or reading...but one of THE best ways is to go back to the previous days work and do a light editing session.
I'll get up at 3am, go to the office, take the script and go back a chapter or two. I'll read through, making the light changes and by the time I'm done, I'm stoked to keep going and write more.
Works every time.
I'll get up at 3am, go to the office, take the script and go back a chapter or two. I'll read through, making the light changes and by the time I'm done, I'm stoked to keep going and write more.
Works every time.
Jaime Buckley
People talk about that. Friends, family, readers and bloggers--they say things like, "This is going to be so incredible when it goes to the big screen."
Thing is, I'm not sure I'm interested in that. Not that it wouldn't be great--but I'm all about the kids and that means games and more. My limited understanding is that when a film studio buys the rights to a story--that includes all the merchandising rights.
I'm not OK with that and just that possibility alone would make it very easy to say, "No thanks," no matter what the price. I'd rather take my own risks and have fun developing other products.
Now if a game company came to me and wanted to talk show, that would be a whole different consideration altogether.
Thing is, I'm not sure I'm interested in that. Not that it wouldn't be great--but I'm all about the kids and that means games and more. My limited understanding is that when a film studio buys the rights to a story--that includes all the merchandising rights.
I'm not OK with that and just that possibility alone would make it very easy to say, "No thanks," no matter what the price. I'd rather take my own risks and have fun developing other products.
Now if a game company came to me and wanted to talk show, that would be a whole different consideration altogether.
Jaime Buckley
I never intended to write books. I was a cartoonist by trade--but a car accident took the fine motor skills of my hands. After surgery I wasn't able to make comic books anymore, so my wife and oldest daughter worked on me for the better part of two years, trying to convince me to take the comic and make it into a novel series.
Sixteen books later, I found I like this more.
Haven't looked back since.
Sixteen books later, I found I like this more.
Haven't looked back since.
Jaime Buckley
I don't have a single favorite author--but I do have a collection of them that created my favorite book. That book would be The Book of Mormon.
It's a religious book, but to me it's a journal of adventure that has taught me more about people and relationships and God than anything I've ever read. I've read it dozens of times. It seems to change each time I do and I get something new from it--a perspective, a thought, an idea.
Awesome book.
It's a religious book, but to me it's a journal of adventure that has taught me more about people and relationships and God than anything I've ever read. I've read it dozens of times. It seems to change each time I do and I get something new from it--a perspective, a thought, an idea.
Awesome book.
Jaime Buckley
The reason why is because I've committed to take the year off for marketing and building up the website. It's been a huge struggle too--I love to write and articles doesn't have the same fulfillment as novels.
The good news is I'm working on the outline now for several books and a game, including the next Chronicles of a Hero novel (#4). I do plan, if all goes well, on completing at least 2 of the main novels next year.
It all depends on books sales--the more I sell, the more I can focus on writing. The less I sell, the more marketing I'll be required to do. It's a rough catch 22.
The good news is I'm working on the outline now for several books and a game, including the next Chronicles of a Hero novel (#4). I do plan, if all goes well, on completing at least 2 of the main novels next year.
It all depends on books sales--the more I sell, the more I can focus on writing. The less I sell, the more marketing I'll be required to do. It's a rough catch 22.
Jaime Buckley
The funny thing is--when I started writing, my conditions were extreme. I was homeless with a wife and 11 children plus a father in law. When we did find a place to dwell during the winter months, I was writing in a corner of a single room with no windows.
It wasn't the most ideal setting.
I picked up some free bank calendars--you know the ones, with the beautiful scenery pictures? I tore those out and tacked them to the walls, pretending they were windows. I also lived with ear plugs so I could work in the crowded conditions and be able to focus.
When you spend a couple years forcing yourself to sit down and write every day in those type of circumstances, writer's block seems a bit ridiculous.
Yes, I've struggled with ideas--but not actual writers block, where I was unable to write something.
It wasn't the most ideal setting.
I picked up some free bank calendars--you know the ones, with the beautiful scenery pictures? I tore those out and tacked them to the walls, pretending they were windows. I also lived with ear plugs so I could work in the crowded conditions and be able to focus.
When you spend a couple years forcing yourself to sit down and write every day in those type of circumstances, writer's block seems a bit ridiculous.
Yes, I've struggled with ideas--but not actual writers block, where I was unable to write something.
Jaime Buckley
To me it's the freedom. Freedom to create, to share, to explore and craft entertainment for others, while having the option of taking a break and spending time with my wife and children.
I love being able to get up in the early morning hours and ponder about what I'd like to accomplish for the day. To make my long lists in detail and then challenge myself to complete everything on it.
I love being able to get up in the early morning hours and ponder about what I'd like to accomplish for the day. To make my long lists in detail and then challenge myself to complete everything on it.
Jaime Buckley
The best advice I could give would be to remind aspiring authors to relax and have fun. Personally, if I'm sweating and stressing about a book at ANY stage of the process, I've lost focus on why I'm doing it in the first place.
Writing should be a joy and pleasure. Yes, it's serious work, but that doesn't mean it should be anything but a delight. You're creating worlds and places for people to go, to explore, to experience and there are not many professions in this life that grant such power and freedom to another.
Put your heart and soul into your work. Love it and I promise you that it will show.
Writing should be a joy and pleasure. Yes, it's serious work, but that doesn't mean it should be anything but a delight. You're creating worlds and places for people to go, to explore, to experience and there are not many professions in this life that grant such power and freedom to another.
Put your heart and soul into your work. Love it and I promise you that it will show.
Jaime Buckley
Two things are on my current list:
#1) I've taken the 2014 year to market the books already written, so that means my daily blog and promotions...but I get to do fun things like "Ask The Author" (smile)
#2) Since I go crazy NOT writing and creating, I'm working on a new game concept based on my book Trench Wars (Chronicles of a Hero #2). I thought it would be fun to figure out a way to develop a killer board game that costs $5.00 or less....
#1) I've taken the 2014 year to market the books already written, so that means my daily blog and promotions...but I get to do fun things like "Ask The Author" (smile)
#2) Since I go crazy NOT writing and creating, I'm working on a new game concept based on my book Trench Wars (Chronicles of a Hero #2). I thought it would be fun to figure out a way to develop a killer board game that costs $5.00 or less....
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